I submitted the following structure assuming that a strong
affirmative actions or proportional representation structure be
an integral part of the station board elections in order to
guarantee diversity in terms of race, gender and economic class.
KPFA's election structure currently has this need fulfilled to a
certain degree.
J.M.

I propose a dynamic governance concept of structural "checks and
balances" that would address the needs and concerns of the
station community regarding programming by facilitating an
unprecedented degree of involvement by the listening community in
determining the station's programming.

The primary component of this concept would be the creation of a
station Programming Council process, whose core members would be
the elected Station Board whom specifically would have the power
to intercede on behalf of listeners regarding programming
decisions by the station management.

Through the holding of monthly public Programming Council
meetings designated for community input, review and critique of
current and proposed programming, a viable and flexible
instrument of process will be created to provide a regular forum
at which members of the community at large would have opportunity
to address or "council" the Station Board in regard to concerns
over present or proposed programming.

In addition, the Programming Council process would function, when
needed, as an unofficial body with which the first stage of
dispute or conflict resolution concerning programming problems
could take place.

The Programming Council's decisions should reflect the
community's
needs and wishes as determined through inclusive and fair
Council processes. In this sense a democratic process would be
facilitated for all to participate in or witness, thereby
providing a mandate for specific action by the Programming
Council's Station Board members regarding decisions over station
programming.

The qualitative effect of an ongoing public "council" process
would cross over into all aspects concerning the progressive
communities that Pacifica stations serve. Be doing so, such
councils or gatherings, if held at different meeting halls
throughout the signal area, would function as community town hall
meetings at which the people who constitute the Pacifica family
can become more integrated politically, socially and culturally
in a way is not possible through any other process. By
live-broadcasting such meetings, the community would have the
ability to "come together" in a vibrant process through the
signal's "voice".

In order to function effectively, Programming Council meetings
would need to be held on a monthly basis (in addition to monthly
Station Board meetings) and if needed could be held more often to
solve or mediate a programming crisis or other Pacifica related
problem.

To insure the accountability of the Programming Council process,
listeners who are qualified to vote would have the power to call
special elections to replace Station Board members whose
programming decisions or recommendations are not representing the
concerns or needs of the community.

Similarly, listeners who are qualified to vote should have the
power to remove a station general manager directly if the
situation warranted it.

Of course, in order to insure the Pacifica's mission is being
served and to protect the station licenses, the Pacifica National
Board through the establishment of a Pacifica National
Programming Council would also have the power to remove a station
General Manager who may be making programming changes that are
antithetical to the mission, or who may not be taking quick
action to rectify a technical problem such as prolonged signal
degradation or loss, or a programmer who is in violation of FCC
law or CPB rules. ["or CPB rules" later removed]

Such determinations by the National Programming Council would be
conducted in as public of a way as possible utilizing the signal
to once again make such considerations accountable to the
listeners. Additionally, Pacifica programs that are produced on a
national basis would be reviewed by the National Programming
Council to insure national programming does not veer away from
the Mission.

Hence you have a basic governance system pertaining to
programming that includes the necessary checks and balances to
insure the relevance of that programming to the community and to
Pacifica's mission.